In order to further improve bilateral cooperation against human trafficking, a Dutch delegation visited the Ministry of Interior, as well as the National Police Force and the Prosecution Service on 18-19 December 2012. The delegation included representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Coordination Centre Human Trafficking (CoMensha) and was accompanied by a representative of the Dutch Embassy of Budapest.

In the Ministry of Interior the delegation met Deputy State Secretary for EU and International Affairs, Krisztina Berta, the national coordinator of the battle against human trafficking, with whom they discussed and finalised the establishment of a Transnational Steering Mechanism. Hungary intends to apply for the support of the European Committee within the “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” program for the period 2007 - 2013. One of the European Commission’s surveys shows that Hungary is one of the largest countries of origin and numerous Hungarian citizens are trafficked to the Netherlands. According to the project plan, a transnational steering mechanism will be established between Hungary and the target countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, due to the fact that only cooperation is the truly effective way of identifying victims of human trafficking. The general goal of the project is to support the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012–2016 and the EU directive 2011/36.

The meeting took place in a constructive mood and the Dutch party emphasized its cooperation and support in this project.

(Ministry of Interior, Press Department)